Our Donations Help Others

Special Children’s Charities of Chicago is the fundraising organization of Special Olympics Chicago. Special Olympics provide a competitive forum for thousands of special athletes here in Chicago every year. Both were founded in 1969 for athletes competing in everything from gymnastics to tennis, basketball to track and field.

Benton Community Settlement carries a proud tradition that can be found in the smiles of our children, the competitive nature of our young adults, and the satisfaction and appreciation that abounds in the sentiment of our seniors. We are a not-for-profit settlement home that has operated for over 90 years with many children’s programs but few funds. The programs offered include, but are not limited to: Summer Day Camp, Kiddie Time (pre-school program), Begin again Moms, Father & Son Floor Hockey, Saturday Play Camp, and Storytime.

Supporter Spotlight: Delilah Pearson

What does the average 4 year old girl ask for on her birthday? Toys? Dolls to dress up? Well a sweet little girl named Delilah Pearson asked for some thing much more meaningful. Ryan and Liz Pearson recently sent us an extremely touching story about their daughter who, when asked what she wanted for her birthday, she said to help kids who need help. Anyone can make a difference and Delilah is proof of this.

Ryan and Liz are from Elmhurst and have attended our Curve Ball Events in the past. They have also participated in the Patriot Bike Assault Bike Race. They are always willing to step up and help support the One for the Kids cause. We can only imagine how great it felt when their daughter wanted to get involved too.

“Liz reached out to me,” said our board member and good friend of the Pearson’s, Bob Lanigan. “She knows that One for the Kids’ main focus is to help kids around the Chicagoland area and this is exactly what Delilah wanted to do.”

The Pearson’s threw a birthday party at their home and asked guests in lieu of presents to make a donation to One for the Kids. Our 2017 Curve Ball will have two host families that we will be raising money for (more information on those families coming soon!). During this process, Delilah read about the Wennerstrom’s story and wanted to help them and that is exactly what she did. As a result, $742.00 was raised from Delilah’s efforts! Her friends and family wanted to make not only Delilah’s birthday wishes come true but to help for another family in need. We are so honored to know the Pearson family. The world needs to hear more selfless stories such as this!

We wanted to share this story with you because we are always happy to see the funds we raise go to great causes like our host families, Special Olympics Chicago and Advocate Children’s Heart Institute but there’s something spectacular when kids are the ones that want to make the difference. Cheers to the Pearson family. Delilah you are one of kind.